In addition to those changes, which also saw penalty tries become an automatic seven points and uncontested scrums requiring eight players per side, there are also six new law amendments.

They have come into force on August 1, with World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont and Rugby Committee Chairman John Jeffrey confident they will help the game.

Beaumont said: "World Rugby continually reviews the laws to ensure that the game is as enjoyable, simple and safe as possible at all levels.

"I would like to thank our unions for their full support throughout the process, the experts who evaluated the closed trial data and look forward to seeing the full results of the global trial."

Jeffrey added: "These law amendments are designed to improve the experience of those playing and watching the game at all levels and to avoid negative play where possible.

"The results of the closed trials were highly-encouraging with more ball out from the scrum, fewer penalties and better stability, which has a player welfare benefit too."

Six new law amendments:

Throwing the ball into the scrum

1. Law 20.5 and 20.6 (d)
No signal from referee. The scrum-half must throw the ball in straight but is allowed to align their shoulder on the middle line of the scrum, therefore allowing them to stand a shoulder width towards their own side of the middle line.
Rationale: To promote scrum stability, a fair contest for possession while also giving the advantage to the team throwing in (non-offending team).

Handling in the scrum

2. Law 20.9 (b)
The No.8 shall be allowed to pick the ball from the feet of the second-rows.
Rationale: To promote continuity.

Striking after the throw-in

3. Law 20.8 (b)
Once the ball touches the ground in the tunnel, any front-row player may use either foot to try to win possession of the ball. One player from the team who put the ball in must strike for the ball.
Sanction: Free-kick
Rationale: To promote a fair contest for possession.

Tackler playing the ball

4. Law 15.4 (c)
The tackler must get up before playing the ball and then can only play from their own side of the tackle "gate".
Rationale: To make the tackle/ruck simpler for players and referees and more consistent with the rest of that law.

Ruck

5. Law 16
A ruck commences when at least one player is on their feet and over the ball which is on the ground (tackled player, tackler). At this point the offside lines are created. Players on their feet may use their hands to pick up the ball as long as this is immediate. As soon as an opposition player arrives, no hands can be used.
This law will put an end to the no-ruck tactic employed by Italy in last year's Six Nations when they caught England by surprise in the first half of their encounter at Twickenham.
Rationale: To make the ruck simpler for players and referees.

Other ruck offences

6. Law 16.4
A player must not kick the ball out of a ruck. The player can only hook it in a backwards motion.
Sanction: Penalty
Rationale: To promote player welfare and to make it consistent with scrum law.

Voting for the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations Player of the Championship is now open

19 March 2018, 8:00pm

After another thrilling conclusion to the NatWest 6 Nations, the shortlist has been revealed for the prestigious NatWest Player of the Championship featuring four Ireland players, one Italian player and one French player.

Tadhg Furlong was named NatWest 6 Nations Man of the Match for Ireland's win over England

19 March 2018, 1:52pm

The final round of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations certainly didn't fail to deliver as Ireland secured just a third Grand Slam in their history, Scotland edged their way past Italy at the death in a thriller and Wales did enough to see off France in Cardiff.